PENNSYLVANIA — The Jewish Legislative Caucus has expressed deep disappointment over the inclusion of sure audio system on the Palestine Writes Literature Competition being held on the College of Pennsylvania this weekend.
In an announcement launched on Friday, the caucus identified that whereas it appreciates variety of tradition, creative expression, and freedom of speech, it’s troubled by the presence of audio system who’ve beforehand made antisemitic statements. These embrace Roger Waters, identified for his Nazi-like costume at a live performance and previous antisemitic remarks, and Randa Abdel-Fattah, who has described Israel as “a demonic, sick undertaking” and expressed anticipation for its finish.
The timing of the competition additionally coincides with one of many holiest durations within the Jewish calendar, the Days of Awe. This ten-day interval between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time of humility, self-reflection, and the repairing and forging of bonds. The Jewish neighborhood on the College of Pennsylvania, together with college students and educators, can be observing as of late in search of peace, understanding, and reconciliation.
Whereas the caucus helps the creation of areas for discussing and celebrating Palestinian artwork, literature, and tradition, it believes that such celebrations shouldn’t contain people with a historical past of divisive, antisemitic rhetoric. Such rhetoric, based on the caucus, is counterproductive to the mutual respect, understanding, and therapeutic crucial for progress.
The Jewish Legislative Caucus emphasizes that their objection shouldn’t be in opposition to the competition itself, however fairly with the number of audio system who’ve a historical past of spreading antisemitic sentiments. They hope for extra thoughtful speaker choice in future occasions to advertise dialogue and understanding between totally different cultures and communities.
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